United States securities and exchange commission logo August 7, 2023 Vincent J. Angotti Chief Executive Officer AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 25821 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 400 Hayward, CA 94545 Re: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed August 2, 2023 File No. 333-273589 Dear Vincent J. Angotti: This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your registration statement. Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact Tyler Howes at 202-551-3370 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Life Sciences cc: John T. McKenna, Esq.